Shadows of Deceit | MilkLove AU

Ch11: White Lily

Captain Pasu sat in the dimly lit room, the faint glow of a single desk lamp casting shadows on the worn wooden walls. He held a pen in his hand, its tip poised over a blank page, yet his mind raced with uncertainty. Time was slipping away, and each moment felt like a precious grain of sand in an hourglass. He knows he needs to choose his next step with utmost caution.

His gaze landed on a photo frame on the desk, its glass smudged from years of dust. Inside was a cherished memory: his mother cradling baby Pasu, her smile filled with warmth and joy. Beside her stood his father, a sturdy man with a gentle demeanor, his arm around a young girl holding a bouquet of white lilies. Their modest home was visible in the background, but the love they shared was rich and real. The image tugged at Pasu's heart, reminding him of the family he had lost and the legacy he must preserve. Those pure lilies symbolized the innocence and happiness that had once thrived in their lives, untouched by the burdens that would later define them.

With a deep sigh, he began to write, knowing that this was more than a story; it was a lifeline for the future. He documented not just their history, but the intricate web of events that had led to this moment. He hoped that one day, when the twins' paths crossed, this record would help them understand their roots.

***

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the cemetery, where grief and beauty intertwined. A young girl, no more than ten, stood beside a freshly dug grave, her small hands trembling. She clutched a bouquet of white lilies, their delicate petals contrasting sharply with the somberness of the occasion.

With a silent prayer, she stepped forward and tossed the lilies onto the casket, each flower is a silent farewell.

As she turned around, she bent down to her younger brother, Nayavanti, who was clinging to her side, his innocent eyes blinking up at her, unaware of the finality of the moment unfolding around them. She smiled gently, brushing back his tousled hair. "It's just you and me now, N' Ti," she whispered.

In that fleeting moment, the world seemed to pause. The air was thick with the scent of lilies, a fragrance that mingled with the warmth of the setting sun, offering a fragile sense of hope. She felt a spark of determination ignite within her. They would navigate this new reality together, a bond forged in the shadows of loss.

"Promise me we'll always look out for each other," she said, her voice steady despite the tears welling in her eyes.

Nayavanti nodded, though he did not fully understand the weight of her words. In his heart, he felt the comfort of her presence, the unspoken promise that they would face whatever came next side by side. As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, the girl felt a flicker of hope—a belief that they could create a new life amidst the ashes of their past.

But as the shadows lengthened, she had no way of knowing that this was just the beginning of their hardships, the first chapter of a story filled with challenges they would need to confront alone.

***

A year had passed since the funeral, and the world had become a tapestry of uncertainty and fear for the siblings. Life as orphans was a grim reality, marked by their experiences in various foster homes that left scars deeper than the ones they bore on their skin.